Find out how much move in cleaning costs and what affects pricing for apartments, houses, and deep cleaning needs.
Moving into a new home is a fresh start, but "broom clean" from the previous owner rarely meets the standards of a truly fresh beginning. A professional move-in cleaning ensures your new space is sanitized and ready for your furniture. But what should you budget for this service?
On average, a professional move-in cleaning in the U.S. costs between $150 and $450. However, for larger estates or homes requiring heavy sanitization, prices can exceed $600. Most companies charge based on square footage or a flat rate based on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
No two homes are lived in the same way. A 1,500 sq. ft. home that was meticulously maintained will require less "elbow grease" than a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment with heavy grease buildup in the kitchen. Pricing reflects the time and intensity required to bring the home to a "Level 10" clean.
Cleaning an empty home is more efficient for professionals. Without furniture, rugs, or boxes to move or navigate around, cleaners can focus 100% of their time on surfaces. This often results in a more thorough job at a slightly lower price point than a "lived-in" deep clean.
Several key variables determine your final quote:
The most common pricing metric. More surface area means more floors to mop, more walls to dust, and more time spent in the home.
Bathrooms are the most labor-intensive rooms. Scrubbing grout, disinfecting toilets, and polishing glass takes significant time. A 3-bathroom home will always cost more than a 1-bathroom home, even if the total square footage is the same.
If the previous tenants left grease on the vent hoods or spills inside the pantry, the kitchen "reset" will drive up the labor hours.
Unlike standard cleaning, move-in cleaning almost always includes the interiors of cabinets and drawers. If you want the inside of the fridge and oven cleaned as well, these are typically priced as add-ons.
Proximity to the cleaning company’s headquarters can affect travel fees. Additionally, booking last-minute during "peak moving season" (typically May through September) can sometimes impact availability and pricing.
Estimated ranges based on national averages:
When you book with Lily Maids, the move-in price covers the "Deep Restoration" of the home:
Most homeowners should budget between $200 and $400 for a standard-sized home. The best way to get an accurate price is to provide your square footage and the number of bathrooms to your cleaning provider.
Yes. It is the only time your home will be completely empty. This allows for a level of sanitization that is impossible to achieve once your furniture and belongings are in place. It provides peace of mind that you aren't living with someone else's grime.
The three biggest factors are the total square footage, the number of bathrooms, and whether you include add-ons like interior oven, interior fridge, or window track cleaning.
Absolutely. Cleaners can work faster and more effectively in an empty space. Additionally, you won't have to worry about dust from the cleaning process settling on your clean furniture or clothes.
Ready for a fresh start in your new home?
Get your custom Move-In Quote from Lily Maids today!
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